I posted earlier in the year about the start of a national hedgehog survey using footprint tunnels. Results are now being published from the study which shows that the method was a success and is suitable for detecting changes in hedgehog presence across the country. Obtaining this kind of data for hedgehogs is of great importance due to the current decline in numbers. Furthermore the results have found that where badgers are present on sites hedgehogs are also less likely to be present, corroborating other studies of the relationship between the two. The study will continue in the spring.

{

In this study, we investigated the use of footprint tunnels by volunteers as a method for surveying occupancy of sites by hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus. The survey protocol led to a very low non-detection rate and could reasonably be used to detect occupancy changes of 25% with statistical power of 0.95 in a national survey.